Trash can holder



Feb. 8, 1955 L. w. WILLIAMSON 2,701,700

TRASH CAN HOLDER Filed May 26, 1952 20 lQ/EM la 32 Fig? '1 fig: 4 1Q i iy Lowell W. Williamson INVENTOR.

W Attorneys United States Patent O TRASH CAN HOLDER Lowell W.Williamson, Lawton, Okla. Application May 26, 1952, Serial No. 289,995

1 Claim. (Cl. 248-146) The present invention relates to certain new anduseful improvements in supporting and holding means for rigid sheetmetal trash cans such as are commonly used outdoors, and has moreparticular reference to a construction which is characterized by a postor an equivalent upright, and means thereon for removably supporting thetrash can in a slightly elevated position. As the preceding statementimplies it is not new, of course, to elevate a trash can or the likeabove the ground and to provide suitable means whereby the same isadequately supported at an accessible plane but is, generally speaking,out of bounds, so far as dogs and cats are concerned.

As is generally well conceded, the art to which the invention relates ismade up of many and varied styles and examples of trash can andequivalent supports and holders. It is therefore an object of theinvention to structurally, functionally and to otherwise improve uponknown prior art constructions which are analogous in purpose and generalconstruction by providing one which is simple, practical, reliable, andis otherwise such that it will doubtless comply with the mostsignificant needs of manufacturers, sellers and users.

Another object in this general category is to improve upon and reducethe number of parts entering into the over-all combination, thereby notonly increasing the efficiency of the structure as a whole, but alsorendering the same less costly to manufacture and to otherwise simplifyfactors of assembling and sale.

Briefly summarized, the invention is characterized by a verticallypositioned post, one which may be suitably anchored in the ground, saidpost being preferably V-shaped in cross-section. There is a hangerfixture on the upper portion of the post to engage one of the handles ofthe trash can. Above this is an arm carrying a chain which suspends thelid and below it is a saddle or yoke in which a portion of the wall ofthe can is saddled and reliably held in a suitable and accessiblemanner.

More explicitly, the invenion is characterized by a post with anchoringmeans at the bottom wherein the post is V-shaped in cross-section and isprovided at the upper end with a chain suspending arm, provided at itsintermediate portion with the aforementioned V-shaped saddle and isprovided between the saddle and the arm with a fixed and suitablyinclined cleat over which the handle of the trash can is releasablyengaged and hung.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparentfrom the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employedto designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing a support constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention and illustratingthe manner in which the same is used.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the post and its components with thetrash can and other parts omitted.-

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the structure seen in Figure 2, said viewbeing on a larger scale.

Referring now to the drawings by reference numerals and lead lines thepost or upright is denoted generally by the numeral 4 It is a rigid ironor equivalent member V-shaped in cross section and including divergingside flanges 6 and 8. The upper end is cut off straight, as at 10, tofacilitate driving or otherwise forcing the lower stake-like end intothe ground. This end is pointed as 2 at 12 to facilitate penetration andit is provided with an anchor plate or key 14.

The upper arm is preferably a rigid wire or rod member and is denoted bythe numeral 16 and has a lateral inner end 18 fitted into the crotch ofthe post and welded or otherwise anchored in place. This arm extendsapproximately at right angles to the lengthwise axis of the post and istilted slightly upward and terminates in an eye 20 carrying a suitablesuspension chain 22 at tached to a link 24 on the lid 26 of the trashcan 28. The trash can is provided with the usual diametrically oppositepivotally mounted loops or handles 30-30.

There is a cleat 32 provided and this has a V-shaped portion fitting andsecured between the flanges 6 and 8. There is an extending V-shapedportion 34 which serves to accommodate and to permit the handle 30 to behung thereon. This cleat is upwardly inclined where it bears against thebody or wall of the can in the manner shown in Figure 1. There is a yokeor V-shaped saddle 36 and this is also of one piece metal and has itsvertex portion fitting into the crotch and its arm portions secured tothe flanges with the free end portions projecting well beyond theflanges, said projecting portions being denoted at 38-38. This forms asuitable saddle which underlies the cleat and arm with all parts inproperly spaced and orderly positioned relationship. What with thehandle 30 engaged over theinclined cleat 32 and the lower body portionof the can seated in the crotch of the saddle and with the chained lidsuspended on the arm, it is evident the can is supported in a wellbalanced and accessible position. It is easy to attach and detach andsuspend it in an elevated position out of the reach, under ordinarycircumstances, of dogs, cats, rodents and the like.

It is possible to use the arm 16 as a support for numerals and lettersforming what is generally designated as a residence or home address 40.It is also possible to take advantage of this post and to employ it as asupport for a mail box or the like 42 as best shown in Figure 1.

The over-all construction and purposes are clear it is believed. It maybe added that the device serves to support the trash can in an uprightposition even in high winds and in such a manner that it is not toppledby stray dogs and the like. The lid is held in place over' the can andthis, of course, encourages trash collection men to place the lid overthe empty can. Lids cannot, because of the chained anchorage, get lostor be blown away. This device, because of balance and symmetry, affordsa satisfactory appearance and does not detract from well kept backyards, alleys and the like. As a matter of fact the device can be madesufiiciently elaborate and painted to function as an ornament.

It will be understood, of course, that the arm 16 is adaptable not onlyas support means for the street address 40 and'also as a hanger for thechain 22 but will be used as a hanger for the lid 26 by merely engagingthe handle means of the lid with said arm. This makes it possible forthe user to hang the can lid on the arm,

while the can proper is being emptied or while trash and refuse is beingloaded in the can. It follows that the several complements 16, 32, and36 contribute their proportionate shares to the over-all device.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the inventionafter considering the description in connection with the drawings.Therefore, a more lengthydescription is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and arrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A trash can support and holder comprising, in combination, a supportpost, V-shaped in cross-section, said post having staking and anchoringmeans at its lower end, an upwardly inclined outstanding arm having adownbent inner end fixed in the crotch portion adjacent to the upper endportion of said post, the outer free end of said arm terminating in aneye to which a chain may be conveniently attached, a cleat havingoppositely disposed late'n'ted Feb. 8, 1955' wshapedlipoi-tions,zone,-V-shaped portion'beingfittedbetween and fixed to theflanges of the post, the other V-sha'ped" portion" projecting" frontthe" post and" beingtending outwardly of and-well beyond isaid otherv-shaped 10 2,522,778

portion of said cleatf and a V shaped saddle sitnated on a plane' belowand in alignment with said arm and 1 said cleat; the apical- 1portiomof-isaid saddle being seated in said *crotch portion and' aifixedto said -p'o'stand thei-arm:

, 4 portionsbeingmdapted to' emb taee a-:-cooperat-ingiinter-' mediateportion of said trash can.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,409,326 Wargo Oct. 15, 1946 2,448,456 Niskanen Aug. 31, 1948 2,466,288watermantiflmw... Apr. 5, 1949 Cannon Sept. 19, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTSGieat Hritain"" of 1924

